It’s hard to ignore the rise of eSports gaming. Today, the industry has a valuation of more than $1.38 billion and currently experiences a year-on-year growth rate of more than 15%, which suggests that the future of eSports is exceptionally bright indeed. In fact, some experts are beginning to suggest that eSports could, in the future, rival traditional sports in terms of market size, viewership, and legitimacy. Part of this argument revolves around the similarities and differences between the two mediums. In this blog, we’ll take a look at what they are and what they could mean for the future of eSports.
The Setup
There are many similarities between eSports and traditional sports, with a few key differences. For example, both types of competition pit teams against one another in a league or cup format, with all teams hoping to be the eventual winner. The difference is, most obviously, in the gameplay of each, but also in where they compete against one another. You can’t play a baseball match virtually; you have to be in the same location. With eSports, that’s not the case. You can play from wherever you happen to be, providing you have a good enough internet connection.
Dedication and Training
Key similarity: the dedication and training it takes to make it to the top in both eSports and traditional sports. It’s difficult to be the best of the best in any sport, even those that don’t have widespread popularity. And if you want to become a professional basketball player, you’ll need to essentially dedicate your life to the pursuit. It’s similar in the world of eSports, largely because there are so many people who play video games, and only a small amount of professional positions are available.
While there’s a sense of individualism required to become a professional eSports player, success within the industry will also depend on the player’s ability to integrate within an eSports team, much in the same way that traditional athletes need to integrate into a team.
The Culture
The mechanics of eSports and traditional sports may be different, but the culture around the two are surprisingly similar and, in fact, are becoming more similar as eSports culture progresses. Fans of football will listen to podcasts, bet on the outcome of games, and travel to watch their favourite team compete, and the same can be said of eSports. A typical eSports fan might listen to a FIFA podcast, check out the FIFA odds when a tournament is taking place, and take a trip to see the action take place live. The two disciplines may look different from the outside, but from a fan experience perspective, they have a lot in common.
Difference: Established versus Upstart
There are clear overlaps between eSports and traditional sports. The main difference, for the moment at least, is that traditional sports have history on their sides. No one questions the legitimacy or value of football, cricket, or golf competitions; it’s just accepted. eSports, as a new phenomenon, will need time to bring people on board. It’s highly respected within the gaming industry but less so in the wider world. That’s something that will change over time, especially if eSports continues to grow and develop as it currently is.
Conclusion
The more advanced that eSports becomes, the more we can begin to see it truly as the digital version of the “real-world” sporting industry. From fan culture to professionalism and more, there are plenty of overlaps that suggest that the two have more in common than previously believed. And given the size and stature of the sporting world, that could bode well for the future of the eSports industry!